At-Home Sunburn Remedies

If you're prone to sunburns, always keep a couple of tomatoes in your freezer for an extra chill factor (the anti-oxidants in them help fight topical inflammation, too). Anytime you need instant redness reduction, simply puree one of the chilled veggies and apply the paste to warm skin.

The simplest recipe we found for a redness-reducing facial masque mixes a half cup of oatmeal with one cup of cold yogurt and should stay on for 15 minutes. If you don't mind the smell (and idea), try subbing out the yogurt for Pepto-Bismol. The same ingredients that soothe your stomach are good for an inflamed face.

Breaking news: cucumbers aren’t just good for depuffing tired eyes. They also offer relief for sunburns by promoting circulation and naturally restoring moisture to skin. Slice a chilled cuc' and place the pieces on inflamed areas.

Our favorite sleep-aid is also a skin soother. Steep chamomile tea bags in warm water (infuse with a few drops of lavender oil if you really want to up redness relief), wring out excess water, and place in your fridge for 30 minutes to chill. The cold pouches can then be pressed on sunburned spots for five-minute periods to cool burns.

Succulents aren’t just chic as home décor. The juice from freshly-cut aloe plants is more effective than bottled varieties for alleviating sun-stressed skin. Refrigerate a full leaf, pull away its top layer, and apply the exposed part of the plant directly on painful spots.

As if itchy skin weren’t enough, peeling skin is another serious drawback to sunburns. Thankfully, this apricot-honey mash can calm both when applied for 15 minutes. To make, soak three to five apricots in warm water to soften the fruit, then mash with a tablespoon of honey into a paste.

If your burn is bad enough that sitting, standing, even breathing is uncomfortable, head to the medicine cabinet. A regular dose of a pain reliever, like ibuprofen, can quell inflammation to help with some of your aches and pains. And remember, next time, the best defense is a good offense. Stock up on sunscreens to prevent burns (and DNA damage) year-round.

More: Everything you need to know about new FDA regulations.